Exact manufacture dates for this rifle have been lost to time, but experts believe that Wesson manufactured under lever falling block rifles from the early or mid-1870s through the 1880s with total production of the No. 2 standing at less than 100. (Others have suggested that Wesson manufactured less than 75 No. 2s. A very rare single shot rifle.) The top barrel flat is marked "F. WESSON MAKER/Worcester, Mass." The bottom of the receiver under the lever is marked with the serial number followed by "FRANK WESSON/WORCESTER MASS/PT.APPLIED FOR." The serial number also appears on the breechblock and forearm. The barrel is chambered for the Ballard 38-50 Everlasting case. The rifle is equipped with a hooded front sight with insert and a tang Vernier peep sight. There are correctly no provisions for a rear sight on the barrel or on the frame. Blue barrel and casehardened hammer and breechblock with remaining surfaces nickel plated. Side hammer with firing pin in bolster on the right side of the frame. The forearm and straight grip stock are highly figured walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a Swiss buttplate. This rifle is listed by serial number in James Grant's book "Moore Single Shot Rifles," pages 64-65. Formerly of the Alvin Bebault collection.

Very fine. The barrel retains 85% slightly thinning original blue finish. The hammer and breechblock retain traces of original case colors, otherwise faded to a gray. The remaining metal surfaces retain 95% original nickel finish with an area of loss on top of the frame. The wood is also very fine with a very small chip missing from the forearm near the frame and some minor handling marks. Overall, the checkering is crisp. Mechanically fine. An extremely scarce, high conditioned Frank Wesson firearm that would add value to any antique single shot rifle collection. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.